MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

They've worn themselves out and have called a preening meeting.

It's nice to see the Australorp closing her eyes for a moment's snoozing. I can relate. I've been in several snooze-inducing meetings lately.

 

[BY Bob]

This morning the pullets are not only stress-free, but zooming around in sheer joy for the first time since arriving, perhaps for the first time ever.

So I can honestly tell Dr Mark their stress has been relieved (he was clear stress is a factor in Marek's flare ups).

So happy to hear that.

 

[MaryJanet]

So happy to hear that.

it was a joy to behold.

 

[BY Bob]

it was a joy to behold.

Lively chickens enjoying their chicken lives is one of the great joys in life. Those without chickens are missing out on something really special.

 

[MaryJanet]

I remembered how to make a jigsaw puzzle!

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=15caaf3bb223

 

[BY Bob]

I remembered how to make a jigsaw puzzle!

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=15caaf3bb223

Oooo. I can't wait to do it! Thanks!

 

[MaryJanet]

I was tagged in a PM inviting a re-write of the member interview I did five minutes, I mean, a few years ago. It gave me the opportunity to view this photo of the first three hens to ever call the backyard 'home'.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/screen-shot-2020-11-20-at-8-08-21-am-png.2418307/

The hen on the left is Dora and to me, it looks like she has a Marek's eye. What do you think? Have I lost the plot and started seeing Marek's everywhere or do you think it's likely she had it?

 

[MaryJanet]

I have an earworm. It's the pullets' theme song, with much gratitude for George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.

Club Marekana drinks are freeeee.
Fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone.
All that's missing is the seeeaaa
But don't worry, you can dust bathe!

 

[RoyalChick]

MJ, I promised you info on cleaning after Marek’s.
In the US, Virkon S has a label that lists Marek’s disease virus as one of the viruses it kills. It is used as an agricultural cleaner. I am attaching a link to the label.
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/039967-00137-20201022.pdf

Activated Oxine is also something that kills viruses and is used as a poultry house cleaner after AI infections. Its label doesn’t mention specific viruses but I think it kills everything. You activate it using citric acid which is innocuous enough but I believe its mechanism of action is chlorine so is a ‘kills all known’ sort of thing.
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/009804-00001-20200409.pdf

Read the labels and instructions carefully. Both are used in poultry farming. I suspect though that the chickens should not be present while you use either of them and I also suspect they are gloves and basic mask type products. I may be being overly cautious - but these are both industrial strength cleaners.

Tax: Tassels trying to hatch ice cubes. Yes, she is sitting on a block of ice that I was using to try and break her broodiness. We are well into the 4th week (second week mainly in a broody jail) but she is stubborn! I am leaving on my trip now (takeoff any minute) so my chicken sitter will have to take her out to make sure she gets to run around and exercise each day.

 

[RoyalChick]

I remembered how to make a jigsaw puzzle!

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=15caaf3bb223

Oooh. I will try this when I get somewhere. Still doing airports right now.